Irish doctors reject motion on regulation of abortion

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Last Updated: Sat, Apr 06, 2013 14:31 hrs

London: The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has rejected a motion supporting regulation of abortion where there is a real and substantial risk to the life of a pregnant woman as in the case of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar who died as a result of miscarriage.

The motion was defeated by 42 votes to 32 at the IMO's annual conference in Killarney.

In the heated debate, doctors also voted against a motion calling for legislation to allow abortion in Ireland in cases of rape or incest.

They also voted against a motion calling on the Government to legislate for the provision of abortion for women with non-viable foetal abnormalities, according to The Irish times.

The three motions on abortion were proposed by Cork general practitioner Dr Mary Favier.

Speaking on the motion calling for regulation on abortion where there is real and substantive risk to the life of the mother, Favier said the lives of Irish women were being compromised by the failure to address the need for abortion where a woman's life was being threatened by an on-going pregnancy.

Dr Peter Quinn, a retired general practitioner from Cork, said Ireland was long known as one of the safest places in the world to have a baby and he wanted to take issue with Dr Favier on the issue of safety.

Dublin GP Dr Cyril Daly said he was reminded of German doctors during the war, who conducted tests and carried out abortion, and he asked the IMO to resist the pressure to import abortion into Ireland.

Dr Eleanor Corcoran, a consultant psychiatrist, said if the motion was passed there would be abortion on demand in no time.

Savita, hailing from Karnataka, died from blood poisoning on October 28 after doctors refused to terminate her 17-week long pregnancy, telling her that the foetal heartbeat was still present and "this is a Catholic country".

Ireland's abortion laws are the strictest in Europe. Savita's death caused widespread outrage in India and re-ignited protests and debate on abortion laws.

Savita inquest to call on just 16 witnesses: Report

Just 16 out of about 60, who gave statements to the Irish police during the probe into the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar, will be called to give evidence at the inquest next week, a media report said today.

As few as 16 individuals, out of the total of up to 60 who gave statements to gardai (Irish police), will be called to testify at the inquest which proceeds to a full hearing on Monday morning, well placed sources were quoted by the Irish Times as saying.

Savita, hailing from Karnataka, died from blood poisoning on October 28 last year after doctors refused to terminate her 17-week long pregnancy, telling her that the foetal heartbeat was still present and "this is a Catholic country".

The inquest opened in Galway in January for one day and was adjourned until April 8.

It is understood the weight of the witness evidence will come from personnel involved in the latter days of Savita's care at the University Hospital Galway in Ireland and less so in relation to the earlier days when, according to her husband Praveen Halappanavar, the couple asked repeatedly for a termination of the 17-week pregnancy she was miscarrying.

The coroner, Ciaran McLoughlin, will also call five of his own expert witnesses, among them will be Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin.

Praveen and his solicitor Gerard O'Donnell, this weekend will meet Eugene Gleeson and John O'Donnell, who will represent Praveen at the inquest.

"We will go through everything, the list of witnesses due to give evidence and consider our position on those who have still not given statements as the evidence unfolds," said O'Donnell.

Ireland's abortion laws are the strictest in Europe. Savita's death caused widespread outrage in India and re-ignited protests and debate on abortion laws.